Mic'd Up

Next Friday, July 18, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. KOTO kicks of summer fundraising by hosting “Golden Years” Guest DJ Day celebrating five decades of commercial-free, non-underwritten community radio that “informs, educates, and entertains” listeners from Ophir to Norwood and from Telluride to Ridgway.

KOTO Executive Director Cara Pallone explains that this spring the Trump Administration sent a rescission request to Congress proposing to take back $1.1 billion including funds previously approved by Congress for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB). The Senate is expected to address the issue before the July 18 deadline to act, which, ironically, is Guest DJ Day.  

“There’s still a path forward,” said Pallone. “An amendment process could provide an opportunity to remove CPB from the rescission package or propose changes that lessen the impact on local stations.”

KOTO receives $188,000 from annual CPB grants amounting to a quarter of its current budget. 

“The administration’s intimidation tactics and threats of eliminating funding for public media have pulled focus from the core work we do in serving our community,” Pallone lamented. “It’s difficult to communicate funding needs when we’re still hanging in the balance a week out from summer fundraising.”

Typically, KOTO sets internal fundraising benchmarks while maximizing community participation to secure resources for operations. 

“Depending on how the Senate votes, we’ll make a major push to raise additional funds for reserves,” Pallone noted. 

KOTO forges ahead with “Golden Years” Guest DJ Day next Friday beginning at 9 a.m. with “The New Wave Crew.” 

“We, as the Telluride High School (THS) radio show, represent the future generations that will love and support community radio,” enthused rising THS senior Elodie Prohaska who says KOTO has provided local young DJs with “a way to gain a true connection to our community.”

“The Steering Committee” takes over the mic from 10-11 a.m. with radio trailblazers John Roth, George Greenbank, Terry Tice, Robert Allen, and Kathy Green. 

“So many people helped steer the station over the years with dedication and love,” said Allen, former KOTO music director, general manager, and host of “The Bobalouie Show” since 1978. 

“KOTO News Unplugged” takes over the airwaves from 11 a.m. – noon featuring early KOTO reporters Rita Robinson, Norman Squier, and Nancy Craft along with current News Director Julia Caulfield and former news luminaries calling in. 

“We’ll include a few news clips from the late 70’s and early-80’s that capture the renegade, free spirit of those early days of Telluride,” reported Robertson who served as news and public affairs director and station general manager between 1978 and 1985. 

“Modern Mavens” will take to the airwaves at noon followed by “’80s/’90s Retro Rewind” notables from 1-3 p.m.

From 3-4 p.m. “Beer Booth Banter” will lead on-air fundraising. 

“KOTO’s always been there,” reflected Tobin Brown who worked and managed the KOTO beer booth at Telluride Bluegrass Festival from 1990 to 2012 and hosts the longstanding Thursday morning radio show “Rockin’ with T. Brown.” “It’s stayed true to its mission and remains relevant. It’s the soul of the community. Few organizations do more with less.”

From 4-5 p.m. “That 70’s Gang” will jump on air.  

“Telluride was a political town with a totally freaky, outlaw vibe back in those early days,” reflected Gary Hickcox who’s hosted several shows over the past 50 years. “KOTO was at the heart of that. With this group, there’ll be some serious bullshitting about back in the day.”

“Present Day Posse” comprising current board and staff will close out Guest DJ Day from 5-6 p.m.

Longtime station manager Ben Kerr, who’s also been a KOTO DJ since 1975, feels fortunate for friends he’s made through the station – listeners and DJs alike. 

“KOTO reports traffic jams, public health and weather alerts, school closures and information you just can’t get anywhere else,” he said. “The sharing of our lives that community radio brings to all of us is worthy of everyone’s support.”  

With each $100 donation listeners receive limited-edition “KOTO 50th” merchandise and are entered into a drawing for a Culinary Creative Group Denver Food & Cocktail Tour including two nights at the Clayton Hotel in Cherry Creek, dinners at A5 Steakhouse and Mister Oso, breakfast or lunch at Fox and The Hen, cocktails at two different bars, and air travel from Telluride to Denver (for local winners). The drawing will happen at the end of Guest DJ Day. 

As KOTO staff and leadership await rescission decisions from the Trump Administration, they’re taking a long-term, strategic approach to budgeting. 

“If CPB funding were eliminated, our top priority would be maintaining current staffing levels and preserving core programming,” said Pallone.

KOTO has developed a two-year contingency plan that reflects this commitment while identifying areas for reducing costs elsewhere in the budget. Looking ahead, Pallone says the 2026 budget — typically prepared in the fall — is shaping up to be “a lean spending plan reducing an anticipated deficit by about half.”

“My mantra for 2026 and beyond is ‘back to our roots,’” she concluded. “We can still do many of the things we do now, but in a rootsy, no-frills KOTO-esque way. We know how to do scrappy.”

For more information, to stream live, and to donate, visit www.KOTO.org.